Refacing - an inexpensive method to new cabinets is to reface. This is a process where (you can do it your self) or a professional kitchen refacing dealer can come in remove all your cabinet door and drawer fronts. You preselect the color, stain or paint finish. Then they start by refacing the exterior of your cabinet boxes with thin strips of wood or laminate veneer. Then they install the new door and drawer fronts with new hardware and your choice of cabinet door and drawer pulls. This can save you a lot of time and money and especially mess. It can be done in about 2 or 3 days once the material has been ordered. Choices in material for your doors and drawer fronts can be wood, rtf (ridged thermofoil), and laminate in a variety of finishes. With RTF and laminate, you never have to repaint.
To see this, go to Kitchen Savers at 10920 Switzer Ave Suite 111, Dallas, Texas 214-503-8384 or visit their Web site at http://www.kitchensavers.com.
Semi-custom manufactured prefinished cabinets - You order the cabinets in stock sizes, again, do it yourself or from a dealer, and these cabinets are installed with fillers to make up the difference in space. You will need a floor plan of your kitchen which most cabinet dealers will provide you with at no charge. Keep in mind that their drawings are tailored to their cabinets. Merrillat, Kraftmaid, and Aristocraft cabinets are some of the manufacturers. Lowes, remodelors, home centers, Aristocraft. $100.00 per foot to $400.00 per running foot of lowers and uppers. Variety of finishes and colors.
Custom Manufactured prefinished cabinets - these prefinished cabinets are more expensive because they are made to fit your kitchen specifications exactly. These cabinets can get up into furniture grade cabinets with a variety of finishes and special finishes to fit any taste. $300.00 to $1000.00 per foot. 10 week order time. Bentwood kitchens, Redstone kitchens, and The Kitchen Source
Features that can be offered in kitchen cabinetry:
Base swing out shelves
Lazy susans
Tray dividers
Tilt-out trays
Cutting board and knife trays
Appliance garage
Waste paper baskets
Glass doors
Roll out base shelves or trays
Swing out pantry racks or chefs pantrys
Decorative panels for appliances
Built in features for appliances such as frig, and advantium oven
Cabinetmaker - Finally, the local cabinetmaker. You can get your cabinets custom built by a local cabinet maker who will come out, measure your space and custom build your cabinets. Be sure you have a great painter though to finish your raw cabinets.
As with any remodeling project, I cannot emphasize the planning that you need to put into your kitchen. From the layout and design to the coordination of materials and colors. Do your homework!
